Imagine the Earth’s crust is like a puzzle made of giant pieces. Sometimes these pieces move and bump into each other, especially under the sea. When they suddenly slip past each other, it makes the ocean shake, that’s an undersea earthquake! This shaking can cause big waves called tsunamis, which can travel across oceans to hit faraway coasts.
Examples
- Imagine two puzzle pieces that have been moving slowly for years, then they suddenly snap into place, making the ocean shake.
- If you drop a stone into a pond and it causes ripples, an earthquake under the sea can cause waves that travel across entire oceans.
- A powerful undersea earthquake can be like a giant rock sliding beneath another, causing big waves to form.
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See also
- Why Do Earthquakes Happen in the Middle of the Ocean?
- What are megathrust earthquakes?
- What are rogue waves?
- Kids Ask an Expert - How do earthquakes cause tsunamis?
- What is saltwater?